MBBS Student Sexual Harassment Case: BMC transfers Nair Hospital Dean to Cooper Hospital

Mumbai: In response to multiple sexual harassment complaints filed by medical students against now suspended association professor, the dean of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's Nair Hospital, Dr Sudhir Medhekar has been transferred to RN Cooper Hospital for allegedly failing to take timely action against the accused professor.  

This comes after Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde took serious cognizance of the matter and directed BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to immediately transfer the dean of B.Y.L. Nair Hospital and Medical College. 

Also read- Around 10 more complaints filed by students alleging sexual harassment by suspended Nair Hospital Doctor

Acting on the CM's direction, Bhushan Gagrani transferred Dr Sudhir Medhekar to Cooper Hospital and gave Dr Shailesh Mohite, the dean of Cooper Hospital the charge to take over Dr Medhekar’s position at Nair Hospital, as per HT report. 

Meanwhile Shinde on Tuesday said that a special committee will be formed to investigate the matter thoroughly while assuring justice to the victims. He also assured of strict action against the perpetrators in this case. 

The Chief Minister also gave instructions that additional measures will be implemented for the safety of the hospital staff and students.

"Such incidents in the healthcare sector are very serious. We will investigate the matter and take strict action against the culprits. It is our duty to create a safe environment for everyone in the hospital," he added as quoted by UNI. 

This comes after an MBBS student who is also an athlete was the first to file a sexual harassment complaint against the suspended associate professor. Medical Dialogues had previously reported that the BMC-run Local Complaints Committee (LCC) - BMC's Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) committee which investigated the sexual harassment complaint found the professor guilty and issued a series of recommendations including the immediate transfer of the professor until the student finishes her studies.

The incident reportedly occurred when the student was summoned twice to the associate professor’s cabin under the pretext of discussing her sports activities. During these encounters, the professor allegedly touched her inappropriately, claiming it was part of a medical examination. He then asked her to take off her apron, placed a hand on her shoulder, and talked about the colour of her lips. The student also reported that he made inappropriate comments, which left her feeling uncomfortable.

Initially, she approached a doctor for help, but when no action was taken, she escalated the matter to the hospital’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). Dissatisfied with their response, the student took her complaint to the LCC.

Following an investigation, the LCC found 'Truth' in the student’s allegations and issued a series of recommendations. In a confidential report submitted on September 5, the LCC advised the hospital to immediately transfer the associate professor to prevent any further interaction with the complainant. It also directed that the accused should not be allowed to serve as an examiner in any of her assessments. Later, the authorities at the civic-run Nair Hospital suspended the professor.

After the surface of the first complaint, more students came forward with similar allegations against the professor. Around 10 more such complaints were filed by the students. According to the multiple complaints, the suspended doctor allegedly sexually harassed them on multiple occasions and threatened them with academic repercussions if they filed formal complaints.

Also read- Maha State Commission for Women notice to Nair Hospital seeking explanation on action taken against accused Associate Prof